Riviera revives another Mk.2a TSO

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OUT of traffic since 2015, Mk.2a TSO No. 5366 has been returned to traffic by Riviera Trains. It made its first appearance on June 17, when it was included in the formation of Pathfinder’s ‘Welsh Central Liner’ from Burton to Shrewsbury and back.

The first ‘Torbay Express’ charter of the season ran on June 18, but due to a lineside fire risk steam loco No. 60163 Tornado had to be piloted by DB Cargo diesel No. 66102 – the duo seen leading the rake of Riviera stock near Galmpton on the Dartmouth Steam Railway. The second trip on July 2 was also diesel-hauled by No. 66177 after Tornado was unavailable. Robert Sherwood

The vehicle had previously been offered for sale by Riviera Trains, but is now being retained for further use. Also in the consist was Mk.1 FO No. 3119 which was repainted into chocolate/cream colours at Eastleigh Works earlier this year.

No. 5366 had been at Burton since September 2016, when it was brought north from Eastleigh with another Mk.2a TSO, No. 5292. Parts from this coach have been used to restore No. 5366.

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Rivera Trains now has two ‘fresh air’ (non air-conditioned) rakes of stock available for use, which is particularly useful during the summer months, when one set sees regular use on Torbay Express duties.

As of late June, the two rakes were formed as follows: Nos. 3098+3097+1671+3119+3147+21272+1813+4991+4998+5366 and Nos. 21269+ 3120+3066+1691+3068+3123+3121+3149+1832+4927+4946+4949.

■ Three more Riviera air cons have been repainted into blue/grey livery. FO Nos. 3304/14 and TSO 6067 emerged from Loram on June 2 and departed behind No. 37800 on the 5R98/10.23 Derby RTC-Burton Wetmore.

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